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The Eliza White Charitable Trust exists to honour the legacy of Eliza White, supporting disadvantaged children and their families in the Christchurch diocese.
Eliza White CHARITABLE TRUST
A legacy of strength. A future for the vulnerable.
Over a century ago, Eliza White defied the expectations of her time. Once a poor servant girl from England, she rose to become one of New Zealand’s wealthiest women — a formidable businesswoman, a devout Catholic, and a quiet force for good. When she passed in 1909, she left nearly everything she owned to a trust in her name, with one clear purpose: to care for vulnerable children across the Christchurch diocese.
Today, the Eliza White Charitable Trust continues her work — supporting organisations that uplift, protect, and empower children and youth in Canterbury, South Canterbury and the West Coast. Grounded in faith, service, and generational stewardship, the Trust honours her legacy not through fanfare, but through impact.
Eliza White was a remarkable woman of whom little is remembered today, but who deserves to be better known.
Eliza White was born in Chippenham, England, in 1841. The daughter of an English farmer, Eliza was one of six children. She travelled to New Zealand as a servant for a wealthy English woman, and began her adult life in Christchurch. Shortly after arriving in Christchurch, Eliza married Alfred (A.J.) White, a furniture maker who emigrated to New Zealand on the same ship. After having a family together, what came next was a surprising responsibility to lead the family business, and building a legacy that has endured.
Our Trustees
The Eliza White Charitable Trust is operated by a Board of Management, with the following members, and an Advisor:
Chris Morkane
Chairperson
Chris has been a member of the Trust since 1988. As the great-grandson of Eliza White, he maintains an unbroken line of family members serving as Trustees. Chris has a background in business as a chief executive, working primarily in Australia.
Mark O’Reilly
Secretary
Mark is a director of Christchurch accountancy firm, Ainger Tomlin. Ainger Tomlin has a long history of supporting the Trust since the Trust’s inception. Mark acts as the secretary of the Eliza White Trust, a role he has held for many years.
Bishop Michael Gielen
Bishop Michael Gielen is the current Catholic Bishop of the Christchurch Diocese. As set out by Eliza White’s will, he holds a role as Trustee of the Eliza White Charitable Trust. Bishop Michael is delighted to serve as a custodian of Eliza’s legacy, and counts it a privilege to be able to facilitate young people experience support and love through Eliza’s generous bequest.
Jill Lamb
Jill is a Nurse Practitioner in Women’s Health, working at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Jill has been a member of the Trust since 2016. Jill is passionate about working with women and their families. She admires the legacy Eliza White left to help children, and is pleased to see the way the trust has evolved to assist children through supporting their caregivers and families.
Joanne Hope
Joanne has a background in social work, and has held various leadership roles within Saint John of God charitable trust. She now works as a parish pastoral worker, within the Catholic parish of Christchurch South. Joanne became a trustee of the Eliza White Charitable Trust in 2019.
Charlotte Cummings
Advisor
Charlotte is the Advisor to the Eliza White Charitable Trust, holding this role since 2017. Her role is to liaise with organisations around projects to be considered for funding support. She has a range of experience working across charitable organisations. Charlotte is passionate about seeing resources used wisely and charities being well supported in their work.
THE FULL STORY
Eliza White: Her Life & Legacy
We are delighted to announce the launch of a new book celebrating the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Eliza White. Commissioned by the Trustees of the Eliza White Charitable Trust, this publication honours Eliza’s inspiring story and the profound impact of her legacy.
If you are interested in receiving a hard copy of the book, please contact us via admin@ewt.org.nz. Hard copies are available at a cost of NZD $50 per book, and can be collected in Christchurch, or posted for an additional fee.
Or, if you would like to download a digital version of the book, you can do so by entering your details below and clicking ‘Download’.
HOW FUNDS ARE AWARDED
The Eliza White Trust does not operate contestable funding rounds. Instead, we encourage any organization wishing to be considered to receive funding to contact our Funding Advisor, Charlotte Cummings. If it is deemed that the organization’s purpose or intended project aligns with the purpose of the Eliza White Charitable Trust, a meeting will be arranged for further discussion.
Please note, the Eliza White Charitable Trust does not award funding to individuals.
Contact with the Eliza White Charitable Trust can be made through our Funding Advisor, Charlotte Cummings, via email to admin@ewt.org.nz
Alternatively, you can complete this form here.